Dewan Rakyat

What a unique experience!

On May 6 & 7, 2023, I had the opportunity to exhibit five of my artworks inside Malaysia's Parliament, on the occasion of its first ever 'Open Days'. On each day, I also had the opportunity to demonstrate painting, creating two artworks in the process.

'Dewan Rakyat' is the first of the two artworks created in the midst of the Parliament, giving it an aura no other of my artworks have.

Even more extraordinary is the energy and inspiration that led to this outcome. At the beginning of the day, before I even started painting the canvas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, H.E. Dato' Johari bin Abdul passed by and greeted me. He returned later in the day, at which time I had just completed the artwork.

He asked me what the artwork represented. As an abstract artwork, one really sees what one wishes to see. My answer surprised me. In the moment, what I saw was the Speaker presiding over the House. At the middle of the artwork at its base is the Chair in which the Speaker presides over the House and all around are Malaysia's 222 elected Representatives. They come in all strokes and all colours ~ a true representation of how colourful Malaysia is. And there is the Speaker bringing order in chaos, such as a conductor leading an orchestra. What a beautiful symphony it is.

So Mr. Speaker, thank you so much for inviting me in your and the rakayat's home.